Vapor-condenser and sp



'(No Model.) 4 2Sheets-Sheeti. A. BEVIS 81; W'. B. COOK. Vapor Condenser and Spirit Cooler. No. 239,430. Patented March 29,1881.

(No Model.) 2Sheefls-Sheet 2.

A. BEVIS W.jB. COOK. Vapor Condenser and'Spi-rit Cooler.

No. 239,430. x Patented'March 29,188l.

NPETERS. PHOTWIJTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED BEVIS AND WILBER B. COOK, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

VAPOR-CONDENSER AND SPIRIT-COOLER.

SPEGIFIbATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,430, dated March 29, 1881.

(N0 model To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALFRED BEVIs and WVILBER B. COOK, residing at St. Louis, in

the State of Missouri, have invented Improvements in Vapor'Oondensers and Spirit-Coolers, of which the following is a specification.

This apparatus consists of a number of water-cylinders, in each of which is immersed a double cylinder whose interior is in communication with the water-cylinder at top and bottom, and whose annular space communicates at the top with the vapor-pipe of the still, and at the bottom with the outflow-pipe for the condensed spirit.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation, with one of the cylinders in vertical axial section at b b, Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a top view. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section at a a, Fig. 1.

Ais the vapor-pipe leading from the still.

B is a chamber, from whose sides extend the branch pipes G G, each leading to a separate condenser.

D D are stopcocks or valves in the branch pipes O; and E E are flange-connections made tight with a gasket, as usual. tend through the crowns of the cylinders F and conduct the steam or spiritous vapor into the space G, between the crowns or upper ends of the two cylinders F and H. The cylinder H is surrounded by the cylinder F, and there is an annular space, I, in which the vapor descends, and in which it is'condensed by the cool water in the space J within the cylinder H and space L, between the cylinders F K.-

The cylinders F and H are contained in the water-cylinder K, whose diameter is such as to leave an annular water-space, L, between F and K. The bottoms K of the cylinders K rest on a suitable support, M, and give support to the cylinders F and H by means of bridge bars or blocks N, allowing the free circulation of water in the space below the cylinders F and H. The cylinder H is flared outward at the lower end, so as to fit the inside of the cylinder F, and they are secured togetherby soldering or by other suitable means. The upper ends of the cylinders F and H are-connected by tubes 0, which extend through the crowns of both, with tight joints, and which serve to conduct the water from the top of space J to the space L above the crown of cylinder F.

The pipes G ex- The cold water enters the cylinder K at the lower end by nreans of supply-pipe P and branch pipes Q, supplied with cocks Q, and flange-jointed to the cylinder K at Q The cocks Q give means for regulating or shutting off the flow of water, and the flange-joints Q, give means for disconnection at these points. The condensed spirit escapes from each condensing-chamber I through a pipe, R, in communication with the lower part of said chamher. The pipe R has a flange, It, bearing against the inside of the cylinder K, which cylinder has a hold in conjunction with pipe R, to allow the spirit to pass through it into the pipe S and to the pipe T, leading to the separator. The pipe S is fitted to the outside of the cylinder K with a flange, S, bolted through to the flange It, so as to make a tight joint that can be disconnected without diffi culty.

U U are cocks or valves in the pipes S S.

V is a pipe for the escape of air from the condensing-space when the condenser is first put in operation.

V is a hand-hole near the bottom of each cylinder K.

The water leaves the upper end of the cylinder K through a spout, X, discharging into a trough, Y, by which the warm water is carried to any desired place.

It will be seen that either of the condensers consisting of the three cylinders F H K may be disconnected from the remainder of the apparatus by closing the stop-cocks D, Q, and U, and may be removed by disconnecting the flange-joints E, Q and S. Thus the apparatus may be in constant operation while more or less of the parts are under repair.

In place of the stop-cocks used to shut off communication with any one of the condensers we may use blind gaskets, (imperforate disks,) which are bolted on.

We are aware that condensers of cylindrical form have been used heretofore; but for practical use they have necessarily been made of so great diameter that much water has been wasted, because the surface cooled by the water was small proportionally to the volume of water, and consequently there has been waste of water, as a large proportion has passed through the condenser without contact with the Wall of the condensing-chamber. The diameter of the tub and cylinder may be reduced, but the height must be proportionately increased, and this is not practicable in most cases. To overcome'this difficulty condensers have been made of tubular form, the vapor passing through small tubes immersed in the water-tub. In both of these forms repairs cannot be made without stopping the whole distilling process.

As a modification, a simple tank might take the place of the separate cylinders K.

The following are some of the advantages claimed for our invention: First, economy in the use of water, as all the water used must pass in such close proximity to the condensed spirits and the vapor that there is no waste of water; second,instantaneous action, enabling complete control of the temperature of the spirits, and with the smallest amount of water possible to obtain any temperature desired; third, the construction is such that it can be easily and properly cleaned at any time and Without any interruption or stopping of work, (having a surplus cylinder or pipe that can at any ti mebe discon nected from the others,) proving a great benefit in case of a needed repair, as the work can continue any length of time without the extra cylinder; fourth, it does not require as much space as the large worm-tanks now in use, also requiring less material, and at a much smaller expense, more durable, and less apt to get out of order.

We claim as our invention- 1. In a still, the combination, with a single vapor-pipe, of two or more condensers, adapted to be removed singly during the process of distilling, as herein set forth.

2. In a still, the combination of Vapor-pipe A, chamber B, having branch pipes G, and the cylinders F H, forming vapor spaces I, connecting with said branch pipes, and located in water-vessels K, each cylinder F H being adapted to be removed singly without hindering the continuous process of distilling, as set 5 forth.

ALFRED BEVIS. WILBER B. 000K.

W'itnesses: SAML. KNIGHT,

GEO. H. KNIGHT. 

